Cher Lloyd returns with new single Head Down

Cher admits she was in a “dark place” for many years after dealing with the pressures of being signed to a major label, after signing a deal with Simon Cowell’s now-defunct Syco Music in the UK and Epic Records in USA soon after. The X Factor’ before being dropped and signed to Universal Music Group in 2014.

After struggling with impostor syndrome, she has regained her confidence and plans to release the vast catalog of music she had put aside.

The pop star – who has two young children with husband Craig Monk – told Metro of her break: “I took a long time off. I’ve got two kids now, which is crazy for me.

“I have previously been signed to a label, and as many know, a lot comes with working with a major record company.

“When I left that label, I just needed to refocus and find my confidence again. I feel like I was in a bit of a dark place with that.”

On ‘Head Down’ Cher talks honestly about her experience of the music industry.

She continued: “I just had to back off. I spent a couple of years just writing sessions and trying to figure out what felt right.

“I remember the day I wrote Head Down; I just felt like a massive weight had been lifted off of me. I had wanted to say these things for so long, but I just didn’t know how to just say them by talking; putting pen to paper instead was therapeutic for me.”

The singer releases her new music independently, as that way she can stay true to herself.

She reflected, “Sometimes there were too many chefs and I felt like I was diluted in a way.

Right now, being able to release music on my own terms… it feels so much better.

“Wouldn’t people rather see me for me than see a version that 15 men in suits have decided I should be?”

Cher admits she feels “nervous” going out alone, but the time has come because she finally feels she’s got her “spark” back.

She said: “I still feel really nervous. I don’t know how it’s all going to go, I have no idea, none of us do, but it’s also really exciting to be able to release music , especially independently.

“Everyone knows after you have babies it can take you a while to find your spark again, but I feel like it will definitely come back.”

Promising fans that they won’t have to wait long periods of time for new material, with an EP to follow this year, she said: “I have such a huge catalog that’s unreleased. For me, it’s about giving my fans as much content as possible.

“I don’t know how it’s going to work yet; I’m still trying to figure it out, but all I know is that there won’t be big time gaps between new releases anymore.

“I feel like in years to come I’ll look back on this time like, ‘Yes, you could do it! You were more than capable of doing this on your own.'”